Liquid-level gauge



Sept.Y 9 1924.- 1,508,272

J.S.CUFF

, LIQUID LEVEL GAUGE Filed March 50. 1921 Patented Sept. 9, 1924.

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PTENT JAMES S. CUFF, OF VALLEJO, CALIFORNIA.

LIQUID-LEVEL GAUGE.

Application Lled` March 30, 1921. Serial No. 457,125.

y ATo all 'whom t may concern:

4with gasoline tanks, for instance when mounted on automobiles and thelike.

One of the objects of the present invention is to generally improve andsimplify the construction of gauges of the character -'described; toprovide a. gauge which may be readilyattached to any tank, and whichwill visibly and accurately indicate the level of the gasoline withinthe tank at all times.

Another object of the invention is to profvide a gauge which may beattached to practically any tank, regardless ot whether it be round,square, or otherwise, by merely pertorating the upper and lower side ofthe tank, and which has a substantial range of adjustment so as topermit tanks ot varying heights and diameters to be equipped with astandard equipment.

Another object ot the invention is to provide novel means for enclosingand supporting the gauge glass, bot-h to protect it against fracture byvibration, and against breakage by accidents; further to provide astructure which will permit removal and insertion of the gauge glass atany time without disturbing or disconnecting the remaining mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to pro-- vide an automatic floatactuated check valve to prevent excessive escape of gasoline, it thegauge glass should be accidently b-roken.

Further objects will hereinafter appear.

The invention consists of the parts and the construction, combinationand arrangement of parts as hereinafter more fully de-v scribed andclaimed, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. lis a central vertical section ot a tank showing the application ot theinvention.

Fig. 2 is a plan section on line 2--2, Fig. l.

Referring to the drawings in detail, A indicates in general a tank otsuitable construction, and. 2 a gauge whereby the liquid level withinthe tank may be visibly `and accurately determined at any time.

@ne of the main features of the present invention is the provision of agauge which may be readily attached` to any tank, re-y gardless. ofwhether it is round, square or otherwise, and even though the vheight orY. i

the diameter of the tank may vary to a considerable extent. Y

In the present instance l have provideda gauge consisting ot an upperhead member 3 and a lower head member 4. These head members are providedwith openings at their linner ends which are adapted to register withopenings 5 and 6 punched, drilled or otherwise formed, at one end of thetank. The lower head member 4i has an openingl formed at its. inner end,as indicated at 6a, the upper end of the opening being shouldered as at7 and registering with the bottom o-pening 5 in the tank. The lowerportion of the opening is slightly enlarged and is threaded asat 8 toreceive a screw plug 9. Adapted to be inserted through the opening 5 isan interiorly threaded tube l0. lThe lower end of this tube is providedwith a shoulder or head l1 to engage the shoulder 7, and it is otherwiseprovided with a reduced outlet opening l2 in the lower end in which isformed a valve seat'l, adapted to be engaged by ya float valve 14; saidilo-at valve being held against upward movement within the tube 10 by across-pin l5 mounted therein. The tube l0 is provided with a series ofperforations such as shown atl to permit the gasoline or other liquidtoenter the tube and to flow through the same into the gaugeglassvgenerally shown at 2.

The upper head member is similarly provided with an opening extendingtherethrough and adapted'to align with the opening 6 formed in the upperpart ot the tank. A. tube section such as shown at l? is adapted to beinserted through the opening. This tube is closed at its upper end andisprovided with a head 18 which limits the downward movement thereof. Thetube is otherwise provided with a central passage i9 and a cross-passage20 which is adapted to regis ter with a longitudinally extendingpassage. 2l' formed in the upper head. The tube is also threaded on itsexterior as at 22 and` as such is adapted to be received by the lowi ertube l0, and as this tube is internally y threaded it is obvious thatone tube will screw into the other and as suoli form an adjustable rodor tube whereby the heads 3 and l may be tightly drawn together. Thehead member S terminates in a vertical extension 23. This extension isapproximately circular in cross-section and is provided with a maincentral passage 2a ior the recep tion of the gauge glass 2 and a tube 25ene closing thesame. rlhe extension 23 is otherwise provided with apassage 26 which conimunicates with the upper end of the passage 211 andthe longitudinal passage 21. The lower head member is also provided witha longitudinal passage as shown at 27, and its outer end is providedwith an interiorly threaded passage tor the reception or the lowerl endof the tube 25 and the gauge glass.

ln actual operation it it is desired to apply a tank gauge constructedas h shown, it is only necessary to perror-ate the upper andy lowersides of the tank as. shown in the accompanying drawings; saidpertorations being formed by punching, drilling or otherwise.V A gasketis next placed on each side of the tank and the heads B and a applied;themgauge Venclosing tube 25 being at the same time placed in position.The tubes 10 aiid 17 are then inserted, the tube 10 lirst and the tube17 secondly; said last named tube being turned by the square head 1Sformed on the upper end, thus causing the threaded sections ot therespective tubes to engage. A continued turning movement will cause thetube 17 to enter the tube 10 further and further, and a clamping orpulling action will at last be exerted which is suiicient to draw theheads tightly togetherA against the opposite sides ot the tank and thegaskets interposed between the saine, thus forming a rigid and tightjoint between the' respective head members 3 and il. Gaskets may also beinserted between the head 18 and the annular shoulder 11, it desired, tovfurther insure against leakage. lVith the head sections and the gaugeenclosing tube 25 in` place, it is obvious that it will only benecessary to insert the gauge glass 2 and to secure this in position.plishedby inserting the gauge glass through the lower end of the openingformed in the outer end of the head member 4i. The upper end of thegauge glass when so in serted will engage the partially closed upper endof the tube 25 as shown at 25a; a tight joint being here formed by theinsertion oila gasket as shown. rlhe lower end ot the tube 25 isinternally threaded as at 30 to receive a threaded bushing 31. A gasket32 is lirst inserted and the bushing 31 is then screwed into place.rlhis bushing is ot course externally threaded to engage the threads 3()and the lower end is slotted to permit a screw driver to be insertedwhen the bushing is being screwed into place.

This is accom! r1`his bushing engages the gasket 32 and thereby clampsthe gauge glass 2 tightly between the gaskets 32 and 25a. A closing plugl() is next inserted and finally the plug 9; gaskets being interposedbetween these plugs itdesired. With the insertion oi. the plugs the workof installation is completed and the gauge is ready for action. rilhetank may now be filled to any level desired and it should then beobvious that the same level will be obtained in the gauge glass as thegasoline will freely enterl the passage formed in the tube 10 and willflow from this passage through the longitudinal passage .27 into thelower end ol' the gauge glass. No compression lwill be Aformed in theupper end of the gauge glass as this is in free comn munication with theupper side ot the tank through the passages 211, 26, 21, 2,0 and 19.

From the foregoing it should be obvious that any tank, regardless ofwhether it be round, square or otherwise shaped, may be quickly andreadily litted with a gauge constructed as here shown. rlhe length ofthe tubes 10 and 17 is such that a considerable range ot 'variations maybe taken care ot, that is tanks varying in height, say trom two to sixinches, can easily be `taken care ot with a standard equipment. Thelength of the gauge protecting tube 25 is also longer than required inmost instances, and as this is itreely movable in the passage 24, it isobvious that a considerable range of adjust ment is also here permitted.No air-tight joint need be Yformed between the protecting' tube 25 andthe passage 24 as the liquid never enters this passage, but a fairlysnug sliding joint should, however, be preferably provided.

By providing a support for the gauge glass, such as here shown, it isobvious thatordinary vibrations produced during the driving ot a vehiclewill have comparatively little eiiect upen the gauge glass as it issupported between two resilient gaskets such as shown at 25n and 32. ltshould furthermore be protected against breakage in case of accidents asit is almost entirely enclosed by the tube 25; this tube being slottedat opposite sides as at to permit the liquid contained in the tube to bereadily seen, and it may also be provided with a graduated scale asshown to Yfurther determine the liquid content. ln case of accidents orbreakit is obvious that the gauge glass can be readily removed withoutdisturbing the remaining parts as it will only be necessary to removethe plu l0 and the bushing SO. rllhe old glass may then be removed and anew one inserted. in tact the entire equipment has been constructed withthe object in view oit rendering the device universally adaptable tortanks oit varying shapes and sizes; :tf-:uf rigidly support the sainewhen in place, and 'to permit repair and adjustment to be made with theleast loss of timeand expense.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of the float 14. Incase of breakage or other accident to the gauge glass, it is obviousthat a considerable quantity of gasoline might escape. Such escape is,however, prevented in the present instance as a downward rush ofgasoline through the tube 10 would instantly be checked by the float 14as this would, underl such circumstances, engage the seat formed in thelower end of the tube and thus prevent further escape of gasoline. Thefloat may be constructed of any material desired, similarly the gaugeglass, that is any suitable transparent material besides glass may beemployed if desired. I also wish it understood that various changes inform and proportion may be resorted to within the scope of the appendedclaims, and that the materials and finish of the several parts employedmay be such as the experience and judgment of the manufacturer maydictate or varying uses may demand.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is" 1. The combination of a tank having a 'pair ofaligned perforations formed therein, one in the top and the other in thebotto-m of the tank, upper and lower head members having their innerends registering with the respective perforations in the tank and havingtheir outer ends extending outwardly beyond the side of the tank, saidheads having passages formed therein and communieating with the tankthrough said perforations, a tubular gauge between the outer ends ofsaid head members, means whereby to connect the gauge to said headmembers, the gauge having communication with the passages of the headmembers so as toI indicate on the gauge the level'of the liquid in thetank, connecting means extending through the head members and throughthe tank for drawing the head members tightly against the tank andprovidedy with means interior of the tank to provide for the passage ofliquid from the tank through the passages of said head members, and asafety valve disposed within said connecting means to prevent flow ofliquid from the tank in event of breakage of the gauge glass.

2. The combination of a tank having a pair of aligned perforationsformedtherein, one in the top and the other in the bottom of the tank, upperand lower head members having their inner ends disposed over therespective perforations in the tank and having their outer endsextending outwardly beyond the side of the tank, said head membershaving passages formed therein, a pair of telescoping tubes insertibleone in each head member and entering the tank, one of the telescopingtubes being interiorly screw threaded and the other exteriorly threadedwhereby to telescopically connect the tubes together and whereby topermit the heads to be drawn tightly against the tank, the telescopingtubes having perforations therein whereby to establish communicationbetween the interior of the tank and the tubes, the tubes havingcommunication with the passages of the head members, a gauge glassbetween the outer ends of the head members, means whereby to connect thegauge to said head members, the gauge having communication with saidpassages, and a safety valve disposed within one of said tubes toprevent flow of liquid fromthe tank in the event of breakage of thegauge glass.

3. The combination of a tank having a pair of aligned perforationsformed therein,

one in the top .and the other in the bottom of the tank, upper and'lower head members having their inner ends disposed over the respectiveperforations in the tank and having their outer ends extending outwardlybeyond the side of the tank, a pair of telescoping tubes connected tothe head members and entering in the tank, one of the telescopingmembers being interiorly threaded and the other exteriorly threadedwhereby to adjustably connect the tubes together and whereby to permitthe heads to be tightly drawn against the tank, the telescoping tubeshaving perforations therein to permit the inflow of liquid thereintofrom the tank and the said head members having passages communicatingwith the telescoping tubes, a glass gauge, and means for supporting thegauge in the outer ends of said head members adjacent theside of thetank, the gauge having communication with the passages of the headmembers, and a safety valve disposed within one of said tubes to preventflow of liquid from the tank in vthe event of breakage of the gaugeglass.

4.*In a device of the character described, a tank, upper and lower headmembers provided with passages and having theI inner ends of theirpassages communicating with the tank, a Ipair of telescoping tubularmembers within the tank, means to connect the telescoping members to thehead members to draw the head members tightly against the top and bottomof the tank, the telescoping members having communication with theinterior of the tank and also having communication with the passages ofthe head members, a gauge glass land means for mounting the gauge glassin the head members, the gauge glass having communication with thepassages of the head members, and a safety valve located in one of saidtubular member to prevent flow of liquid from the tank in the event ofbreakage ofthe gauge glass. I v

5. In a device of the character described, a tank, upper and lowerhollow head members disposed at the top and bottom ot' the tank andhaving communi 'ation with the latter, a pair ot threaded telescopingtubes extending through thel tank and connected to and communicatingwith the hollow head members and operable so as to draw the upper andlower hollow head members tightly against the top and bottom ot thetank, the telescoping tubes having pertorations therein to establishcommunication between the interior ot the tank and the hollow headmembers, a gauge glass disposed adjacent the side of the tank in spacedrelation thereto and means connecting the. gauge glass to the headmembers, the gauge glass having connnunication with the latter, wherebythe liquid is permitted to flow trom 'the tank through 'the telescopingtubes and through the head members and the gauge glass and whereby thelevel oit the liquid in the tank is determined, and a safety valvelocated within one ot said tubes to prevent tlow oit liquid 'trom thetank in the event of breakage ot the gauge glass.

6. lin a device ot the character described, the combination ot a tank,head members connected to the tank and having passages therein whichcommunicate with the in terior ot the tank, a gauge glass, means wherebyto connect the gauge glass to said head members, the gauge glass havingcont n'ninication with the passages ot the latter, a. tluid passagepassing thro gh the head members and also extending through the tank andconstructed and arranged for operation whereby to draw the head memberstightly against the tank, and to permit iiow of tluid through the sameto the passages in the head members, and a valve located within saidfluid passage and operable to prevent tlow of liquid from the tank inthe event of' breakage ot' the gauge glass.

7'. ln a device of the character described, a tank, head membersdisposed one at the top and one at the bottom oit the tank and havingpassages termed therein which have communication with the tank, a pairof 'telf-:scoping members having threaded con* nection with each otherand efr-tending through the head members `and through the tank, andoperatively connected to the head members so t-o draw the head memberstightly against the tank, the head members extending outwardly beyondthe sides of the tank, the Lipper head member having an upwardlydirected extending is hollow and which has communication with thepassage ot the upper head member, the telescoping` members having`perforations therein, a gauge glass disposed between the outer ends otthe said members and portion which the passage of the lower head memberand at its upper end communicating with the upwardly extending hollowportion ot the upper head member, the upper end ot the gauge glasshaving telescoping connection with said upwardly extending portion otthe upper head member, means forming a lined connection between thelower end ot the gaiige glass and the lower head member, and a valvelocated in one ot said tubular members to prevent tlow ot' liquid tromthe tank in the event olf breakage ot the gauge glass. V l

S. The combination o'll a tank having a pair ot aligned pertorations,one in the top and one in the bottom ot the tank, upper and lower headmembers having connection with the tank at the points oit pertorationsin the latter, and provided withinternal passages, an adjustableperforated tubular connection in the tank .having communication with thepassages ot said head membe s, the upper head member having an up wardlydirected hollow extension which has conin'iunication with the passageot' the upper head member, a gauge glass having tele*- scopic tit insaid hollow extension ot the upper head member and removably litted inthe lower head member and having communication both with said hollowextension ot the upper head member and the passt e oit the lower headmember, and a safety valve located within said tubular connection toprevent How ot liquid trom the tank in the event ot' breakage ot thegauge o'l glass.

9. The combination ot a tank having a pair ot perforations termedtherein, one in the top of the tank and the other in the bottom thereot,upper and lower tubular head members having their inner ends .iittedover said pertorations in the tank and having internal passages whichhave coiniminication with the tank through the aforesaid pertorations,pair of adjustably connected perforated tubes having connection withsaid head members and having communication with the passages ot the headmembers, a gauge glass, andmeans tor yieldably and removably supportingvthe gauge in the head members adjacent the side or" the tank, the gaugeglass having comnninication with 'the passages oit the head members, oneot said tubular members having a valve seat, and a. valve adapted toseat itself upon the valve seat in the event ot breakage ot the gaugeglass so as to prevent excessive loss ot Huid from the tank.

l0.` The combination ot a tank, upper and lower head members havingconnection at their inner ends with the tank and provided with internalpassages which have communication with the interior ot the tank, a pairot telescoping tubes insertible one in each head member and entering thetank in having communication at its lower end withtelescoping relation,said tubes being perteloo llt)

lill

rated and having communication with thel passages in the head members, agauge glass, means for removably supporting the gauge glass in the outerends of the head members, and a safety valve located in the lowermosttube to close communica-tion between the tubes and the lower head memberin the event of breakage of the gauge glass and thereby prevent escapeof fluid from the tank upon breakage of the gauge glassn l1. Thecombination of a tank having perforations one in the top and one in thebottom of the same, upper and lower head members having passagescommunicating with the tank through said perforations, an adjustablehollow connection within the tank and connecting the head membersoperable to bind the same tightly against the tank and perforated toreceive iiuid from the tank and convey the fluid to the passage of oneof the head members, a gauge glass, means whereby to removably mount thegauge glass in the head members, the gauge glass having communicationwith the passages of the head members, and a valve located within saidadjustable hollow connection operable to prevent flow of liquid from thetank in the event of breakage of the gauge glass.

l2. The combination of a tank having perforations one in the top and onein the bottom of the same, upper and lower head members having passagescommunicating with the tank through said perforations, an adjustablehollow connection within the tank and connecting the head members andoperable to bind the head members tightly against the tank and havingperforations to receive fluid from the tank to convey the fluid to thepassage of one of the head members, a gauge glass, means to re movablymount the gauge glass in the head members, the gauge glass havingcommunication with the vpassages of the head members, and a safety valvelocated at the lower end of the said adjustable hollow connectionoperable to prevent flow of liquid from the tank through said lower headmember in the event of breakage of the gauge glass.

13. In adevice of the character described, a tank, Lipper and lower headmembers provided with passages and having the inner ends of theirpassages communicating with the tank, a pair of telescoping tubularmembers within the tank, means to connect the telescoping members to thehead members to draw the head members tightly against the top and bottomof the tank, the telescoping members having communication with theinterior of the tank, and also having communication with the passages ofthe head members, a gauge glass, and means for mounting the gauge glassin the head members, the gauge glass having communication with thepassages of the head members.

14. The combination of a tank having perfoi'ations, one in the top andone in the bottomv of the same, upper and lower head members havingpassages communicating with the tank through said perforations, anadjustable hollow connection within the tank and connecting the headmembers and operable to bind the head members tightly against the tankand perforated to receive fluid from the tank and convey the fluid tothe passage of' one of the head members, a gauge glass and means wherebyto removably mount the gauge glass in the head members, the gauge glasshaving communication with the passages of the head members.

JAMES S. CUFF. Witnesses:

A. BYRNE, H. J. ADEN.

